Robert Kennedy Jr. and his wife Mary Richardson Kennedy in 2002.ACE/INFphoto.com

The family of the late Mary Richardson Kennedy has hit back at her estranged husband Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “vindictive lies” after a sealed affidavit written by him was released with shocking details about their bitter divorce.

Bobby Kennedy claimed in the bombshell affidavit that his wife beat him up, tried to blackmail him, killed the family dog, threatened suicide in front of her children and drank until she passed out. She was found hanged in the family barn in Bedford, New York on May 16.

But Mary’ family insist Bobby’s account of their marriage and her last days was “full of vindictive lies.” They slammed the Newsweek report saying it was a “brutal psychological weapon in the divorce case,” and said his claim that Mary suffered from Borderline Personality Disorder was “false” according to a statement released today.

The statement said, “Mary’s unconditional love for her children and unwavering support of so many people she held close to her heart are the lasting legacies of her life. Our hearts are breaking for what her children continue to witness. We hoped Mary could rest in peace.

“The scurrilous affidavit, which is the entire basis for the Newsweek article, was written by Bobby Kennedy as part of a contentious custody battle and was nothing more than a brutal psychological weapon in the divorce case.

“The affidavit, which Mary repudiated at the time, is full of vindictive lies. This latest piling on is proof perfect of the unbelievable emotional and psychological abuse that Mary endured during the last years of her life, and now in death.

“The false claim that Mary suffered from BPD [Borderline Personality Disorder] is also an insult to those who do struggle with this serious mental illness.

“Right now, our primary concern is for Mary’s children. There will be a time and a place for the true facts to come out.”

The sealed, 60-page document was obtained by Kennedy historian Laurence Leamer, who reported on the contents in the new issue of Newsweek.